Scriptural text: Isaiah 49:18-23
Lesson Context: The Israelites were under the Babylonian captivity for 70 years. Jerusalem was left in ruins after Babylon invaded Judah. When Babylon fell, the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland (Judah and Jerusalem, Isa. 40-48; Ezra 1:5). Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and the foundations of the temple laid. God had not forgotten his people. God’s plan was to prosper Jerusalem, his people, upon return to their homeland.
Promise of Restoration (Isaiah 49:18-21).
Two things here are promised, which were to be in part of the reviving of the Jewish church after its return out of captivity, but more fully in the planting of the Christian church by preaching f the gospel of Christ:
That the church shall be replenished with great numbers added to it. It was promised in verse 17 that her children should make haste; that the promise here is here enlarged upon, and is made encouraging about, it is promised.
1. That multitudes shall flock to the church from all parts. Look around and see how they gather themselves to thee (verse 18), by a local accession to the Jewish church. They come to Jerusalem from all of the adjacent countries, for that was then the centre of their unity; but, under the gospel, it is by a spiritual accession to the mystical body of Christ in faith and in love. Those that come to Jesus as the Mediator of the new covenant do thereby come to Mount Zion, the church of the first-born. Lift up thy eyes, and behold how the fields are white unto the harvest. It is matter of joy to the church to see a multitude of converts to Christ.
2. That such that are added to the church shall not be a burden and blemish to her, but her strength and ornament. This part of the promise is confirmed with an oath: As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thyself with them all. The addition of such numbers to the church shall complete her clothing; and, when all that were chosen are effectually called, then the bride, the Lamb’s wife, shall made herself ready, shall be quite dressed. They shall make her to appear comely and considerable; and she shall therefore bind them with as much care and complacency as a bride does her ornaments. When those that are added to the church are serious, an holy, and exemplary in their conversation, they are an ornament to it.
3. That thus the country which was waste and desolate, and without inhabitant shall be again peopled, nay, it shall be over-peopled (verse 19). Thy waste and thy desolate places, that have long lain so, and the land of thy destruction, that land of thine which was destroyed with thee and which nobody cared for dwelling in, shall now be so full of people that there shall be no room for inhabitants.” Here is a blessing poured out till there be not room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10
References: 2021-2022 Standard Lesson Commentary, Matthew Henry Concise Commentary